Phillip K. Smith III’s “Detroit Skybridge” is a Rainbow of Moving Colors
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“Detroit Skybridge” by Phillip K. Smith III connects two of Detroit’s most iconic buildings, One Woodward and the Guardian Building. The 100 foot long 16th floor skybridge becomes a floating bar of light hovering over the streets of Downtown Detroit.TakPhillip K. Smith III’s “Detroit Skybridge” is a Rainbow of Moving Colors
“Detroit Skybridge” by Phillip K. Smith III connects two of Detroit’s most iconic buildings, One Woodward and the Guardian Building. The 100 foot long 16th floor skybridge becomes a floating bar of light hovering over the streets of Downtown Detroit.Taking inspiration from the modular white concrete of Yamasaki’s 1962 skyscraper and the mosaic of color within the 1929 Guardian Building, Smith has created a unique color program for this significantly scaled project.Constructed in 1976 by architect Gino Rossetti, the 100 foot long pedestrian bridge allowed the access for Michigan Consolidated Gas (Michcon) and the American Natural Resources Co. (ANR) to move freely, as employees from each company were spread across both the Guardian and the Yamasaki buildings until the late 1990s.Smith has programmed the lights to change in patterns, creating the impression that the hues are moving along the length of the bridge. Single-color bars and rainbow effects are also among the configurations.“Detroit Skybridge is another example of how underutilized spaces can be reimagined for the benefit of the public. Phillip’s use of light and color, along with his understanding of architecture and scale, make this a compelling project for the city,” says Library Street Collective owner Anthony Curis.Smith is best-known for his use of mirrors and colorful lights to create installations, which are often located in the desert landscape near his home and studio in Palm Springs, California. These have included a cabin camouflaged with mirrored bands, an arc of reflective poles, and a collection of light-up blocks at Coachella festival.“This project presents an entirely unique art experience outside of the traditional bounds of the museum or gallery, positioning itself within the public realm for all to experience freely. By day, the Skybridge will continue to be seen as its historical self within the architecture and massing of Downtown. But by night, it will become a beacon for the beauty, creativity, and innovation of Detroit,” says Smith. “I am interested in creating experiences that tap into ‘universal beauty’ — experiences that make us step away from our pattern, our life, our work, our errands, and allow us to see sublime beauty shifting and changing before our eyes.”The project was conceptualized and produced by Library Street Collective. Detroit Skybridge is supported by Bedrock Detroit, Quicken Loans Community Fund and Wayne County.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more